Web reviews bringing lawsuits

1:31 AM,
Mar. 22, 2013

Written by

Ken Paulson

When a Minnesota man thought his family was treated shabbily by a neurologist, he made sure the world knew about it.

Dennis Laurion posted caustic reviews of Minnesota neurologist David McKee, saying he was insensitive to his father's needs and claimed a nurse called the doctor "a real tool." This angered McKee, who offered his own prescription: a libel lawsuit.

Six weeks ago, the Minnesota Supreme Court found the critical comments were protected under the First Amendment as free speech because they were just an opinion - "mere vituperation" - and dismissed the case. It was the latest in a ...